Game-Changing Moments Derail FB’s Comeback Attempt in Kinder’s Texas Bowl

HOUSTON – Baylor football’s six-game winning streak was halted as LSU capitalized on significant momentum shifts to secure a 44-31 victory over the Bears in the Kinder’s Texas Bowl, on Tuesday evening before a crowd of 59,940 at NRG Stadium.

LSU (9-4), ending Baylor’s six-game winning run, garnered 10 points from two fourth-down stops, including one resulting in a 36-yard loss due to a high snap on a fourth-and-1 from the 17-yard line. The Tigers also triumphed with a 41-yard interception return and a 95-yard kickoff return, defeating the Bears in a bowl match for the first time in three attempts. Additionally, a punt returned for a touchdown by the Bears was nullified in the fourth quarter, along with a third-quarter fourth-down conversion in the red zone that initially resulted in a touchdown but was overturned after review.

Redshirt junior quarterback Sawyer Robertson delivered a standout performance, completing 30 of 51 passes for 445 yards and two touchdowns. LSU’s QB, Garrett Nussmeier, was also remarkable, connecting on 24 of 34 attempts for 304 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.

Josh Cameron matched his career best with eight receptions for 111 yards and recorded his 10th touchdown of the season. With freshman All-American running back Bryson Washington sidelined due to injury in the first half, sophomore Dawson Pendergrass rushed for 63 yards on 21 carries, tying a career high with two touchdowns and adding three catches for 26 yards.

With a total offense of 507 yards, Baylor attained the highest yardage LSU has conceded all season, matching the second-most since Missouri accumulated 527 yards on October 7, 2023.

In a thrilling first half that yielded 51 points and a combined 523 yards, LSU capitalized on a 41-yard interception return following a mishandled screen pass from Baylor that was recovered by freshman linebacker Davhon Keys, alongside a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Mississippi State transfer Zavion Thomas, leading to a 34-17 advantage at halftime.

Nussmeier was instrumental in the first-half offense for the Tigers, throwing for 200 yards and touchdown passes of 10 and 1 yards to freshman receiver Trey’Dez Green, as well as an impressive 41-yarder to Chris Hilton Jr., who had already accumulated 113 yards by halftime.

After LSU quickly established a 14-0 lead, the Bears took just five plays to respond following a brief punt, with Robertson and Cameron connecting on a 21-yard touchdown strike.

Hilton secured the 41-yard touchdown reception before catching a 43-yarder to set up a short 1-yard throw to Green, extending the Tigers’ lead to 28-7.

In a fast-paced approach, Baylor managed to score in just over a minute and a half with Dawson Pendergrass’s one-yard touchdown run after Robertson connected with Ketron Jackson Jr. on a 35-yard pass to the 1-yard line. However, Thomas matched the subsequent kickoff with a 95-yard return for a touchdown, with kicker Damian Ramos missing the PAT, resulting in a 20-point gap at 34-14.

With time running out, Isaiah Hankins successfully kicked a 23-yard field goal on the final play of the half, marking his 46th career field goal, positioning him in sole possession of second place behind Jeff Ireland.

Despite being down by 17 at halftime, the Bears had outgained the Tigers, 272-251, with Robertson throwing for 234 yards.

On the first drive of the second half, Baylor advanced to the 8-yard line, but Ashtyn Hawkins was ruled, after a review, to have not grounded his foot on a pass to the back of the end zone on fourth down.

Following the defense forcing LSU’s first turnover of the match, a fumble caused by Carl Williams IV and recovered by Devyn Bobby at the Bears’ 37-yard line, Baylor closed the gap to 34-24 thanks to Robertson’s four-yard touchdown pass to Hawkins with 6:21 remaining in the third quarter.

Aiming to narrow the lead to three, sixth-year senior linebacker Garmon Randolph intercepted a Nussmeier pass and returned it 17 yards to the Tigers’ 26. However, the offense could not capitalize, as the shotgun snap went over Robertson’s head, resulting in a recovery by the quarterback all the way back at Baylor’s 47.

Finally, starting on Baylor’s side of the field for the first time, LSU responded with a four-yard touchdown run by Josh Williams from a direct snap. A failed fourth-down conversion allowed Damian Ramos to kick a 43-yard field goal, extending the lead back to 20 points at 44-24.

The Bears replied with another touchdown run from Pendergrass, advancing to the 5-yard line on Robertson’s 18-yard pass to tight end Gavin Yates.

With 3:46 remaining in the game and down by 13, the Bears managed a stunning 84-yard punt return from the nation’s leading punt returner, Cameron, but a roughing the punter penalty negated the score, keeping the Tigers on the field.

This allowed LSU to maintain possession until a Baylor fourth-down stop with 1:09 remaining. The Bears progressed to the LSU 4-yard line but were unable to close the gap, with a fourth-down attempt to Hawkins falling short as time expired.